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Standard Ballroom Dances
Many Standard Ballroom dances are taught at the school
including the following:
Details of these dances can be found by clicking each of
the dance names above.
Waltz - Fast Facts:
Considered the mother of present day dances, the Waltz
began in southern Germany in the 17th century. The
popularity of the Waltz dance grew with the music of Johann
Strauss and eventually blossomed in the 20th century.
It is the basis for many dances and is popular today all
over the world. The basic components of Waltz are
walking steps and side steps. "Rise and Fall" and "Body
Sway" are some of the styling characteristics which make the
simplest Waltz steps and patterns elegant and beautiful.
A sentimental and romantic dance, it is characterized by
soft and round movements and its swing and flow.
Distinctive moves:
An action that must be visible at any competition level is
the Waltz Pendulum action, an action comparable with the
movement of a bell clapper. The Waltz must contain the
right level of up-and-down swing in balance with the
required spatial movement. As in all dances, dancing
from the supporting foot is essential. The "moment
when" to start rising from your supporting foot is crucial
in the Waltz. There should be lots of rotation.
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Natural turns - turn
to the right |
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Reverse turns - turn
to the right |
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Change step - this
step is executed in-between the natural and reverse
steps and is used to aid the dancers to move to the
other foot |
Viennese Waltz - Fast Facts:
The Waltz developed in Central Europe from the Austrian
dance known as the Landler. The fast whirling of
partners held as if in an embrace shocked polite society.
The music of Johann Strauss and the famous ballrooms of
Vienna popularized the faster version known as the Viennese
Waltz.
This will be a group dance on Dancing with the Stars, so the
dance floor can get quite crowded. Watch out for
couples getting boxed in as it has been known for dirty
tactics to be employed for couples to try and gain an
advantage on the floor.
Distinctive moves:
Sweeping turns that gracefully move around the floor
characterize this dance. The Viennese Waltz is known
for its rotational movement, which is simple and elegant.
There should be no foot rise on the inner turns.
Rotating and swinging spatial movements.
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Natural turns - turn
to the right |
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Reverse turns - turn
to the right |
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Change step - this
step is executed in-between the natural and reverse
steps and is used to aid the dancers to move to the
other foot |
 Quickstep - Fast Facts
During the 1920s, many bands played the Quickstep too
fast and some couples couldn't keep up. Over time, a
faster version was born, absorbing extra elements of ragtime
such as the Charleston. This led to the creation of
what we today call the Quickstep.
This is a light, bright, twinkling and happy dance with
tricky footwork. Quite sporty in its delivery as it is
very springy and fast paced. The basic feel is slow,
quick, quick, slow, quick, quick. The majority of the
slow should be taken on the heel; the majority of the quick
should be taken on the toe.
Distinctive moves:
The characteristic motion of a quickstep is an up-and-down
swing motion. This rise-and-fall motion must be done
at a fast pace.
It is important to move powerfully and positively across
the floor while remaining light on the feet.
Two bodies moving in the speed of the quickstep require
first of all a high level of synchronization and
understanding about leg tension and use of the ankles.
During execution of the "tricksteps," both dancers need the
same tension of feet and legs. There needs to be lots
of work on the balls of the feet and lots of spring from the
feet. To achieve the right musical interpretation, the
timing of the "Slows" should be slightly extended to force a
sharp action in the ankles in the "Quicks". Look out
for the facial expressions. They are not compulsory
but help to capture the essence of the dance.
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Chasse - 3 steps going
to the side (side - close - side) |
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Lockstep - cross one
foot behind the other foot |
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Turing lock steps - a
lockstep that turns |
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Spin Turn (also in the
waltz) - one complete turn, usually danced in
corners |
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Pivot - continuous
turns (spinning around) |
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Natural turns: 3 steps
to the right - should form up to half a circle |
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Reverse turns: 3 steps
to the left - should form up to half a circle
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Runs - little fast,
quick repetitive movements/steps. |
Foxtrot - Fast Facts:
During the summer of 1914, actor Harry Fox was appearing in
shows in New York with Yansci Dolly, in an act of
Hammerstein's. Soon people at the Jardin de Danse on
the roof of the New York Theatre began copying the act that
Harry was putting on downstairs, leading them to refer to
the dance as "Fox's Trot." The foxtrot is a very
smooth dance and there should be no jerkiness. It is a
dance with many continuously forward or backward moving
patterns which are straight and well aligned on the
competition floor. It is called the Rolls Royce of the
standard dancing styles because the smoothness that is
required.
The timing is very important. It should be: slow,
quick, quick, slow. The dancers should drive off on
the slow and let the quicks take care of themselves.
This makes it a very difficult dance.
Distinctive moves:
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The Weave - the weave
is six quick steps in a row, all taken on the toes
(quick steps are generally taken on the toe, slow
steps on the heels) |
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The Feather Step -
when the man steps outside the girl |
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Reverse turns - as in
the waltz - turn to the left |
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Natural turns - as in
the waltz - turn to the right |
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Lines - lots of these
- they should very elegant |
Look out for the zig-zag patterns that the dancers create on
the floor.
Tango - Fast Facts:
The gauchos of Argentina wore chaps that hardened from the
foam and sweat of the horse's body, causing them to walk
with flexed knees. Of a night they would go to crowded
night clubs and ask ladies of the night to dance but since
the gaucho hadn't showered, the lady would dance in the
crook of the man's right arm, holding her head back.
Her right hand was held low on his left hip, close to his
pocket, looking for a payment for dancing with him.
 No rise and fall in the steps. This should be a
very level, flat dance. The legs are therefore always
slightly flexed (i.e. the knees should be slightly bent at
all times).
Distinctive moves:
The Tango is a very emotional dance and this should be
conveyed. There must be lots of clipped movements and
the action must always be staccato. Look out for sharp
head turning and stops.
The hold is different in the tango. The man's left arm
is more towards head level. The general hold is far
more compact and the couple are much tighter together.
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Walks - Should be done
with the heels leading |
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Rock turns - the
dancers should rock while turning |
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Links - these are the
sharp movements in-between the walks (the head turns
from the girl - these are also known as staccato
movements |
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